I’m pretty mediocre. I’m ashamed to admit it. I’m not even being sarcastic or self-deprecating. I’ve never done anything that stands out. No “Whoa! This guy made it into outer space!” or, “This guy has a best selling novel!” or, “If only Google had thought of this!” I’ve had some successes and some failures but never reached any of the goals I had initially set. Always slipped off along the way, off the yellow brick road, into the wilderness.

I’ve started a bunch of companies. Sold some. Failed at most. I’ve invested in a bunch of startups. Sold some. Failed at some, and the jury is still sequestered on a few others. I’ve written some books, most of which I no longer like. I can tell you overall, though, everything I have done has been distinguished by its mediocrity, its lack of a grand vision, and any success I’ve had can be put just as much in the luck basket as the effort basket.

That said, all people should be so lucky. We can’t all be grand visionaries. We can’t all be Picassos. We want to make our business, make our art, sell it, make some money, raise a family, and try to be happy. My feeling, based on my own experience, is that aiming for grandiosity is the fastest route to failure. For every Mark Zuckerberg, there are 1000 Jack Zuckermans. Who is Jack Zuckerman? I have no idea. That’s my point. If you’re Jack Zuckerman and you’re reading this, I apologize. You aimed for the stars and missed. Your reentry into the atmosphere involved a broken heat shield, and you burned to a crisp by the time you hit the ocean. Now we have no idea who you are.

If you want to get rich, sell your company, have time for your hobbies, raise a halfway decent family (with mediocre children), and enjoy the sunset with your wife on occasion, here are some of my highly effective recommendations.

I'm pretty sure the last time I posted something by JA, R dumped on me and called it "junk" or some such thing. Anyway, thanks for the link. I like reading JA too._________________Your argument is invalid.

I'm pretty sure the last time I posted something by JA, R dumped on me and called it "junk" or some such thing. Anyway, thanks for the link. I like reading JA too.

I remember his article about not going to college, not buying a house, etc. I enjoyed it._________________At the heart of the durability of mass schooling is a brilliantly designed power fragmentation system which distributes decision-making so widely among so many different warring interests that large-scale change is impossible to those without a codebook.

Sounds like the "Love the one you're with" philosophy. It's all about sufficiency instead of the greed game.

This isn't really new, but I'm glad the delivery worked for you.

Personally I think it is a very important point to be aware of, but like most things it has to be properly rationed. Too much of anything is bad. This model often causes damage to people who don't know how to responsibly apply it. Basically it's not a "one size fits all."_________________

What? That doesn't sound like me at all. I only offer encouraging words and gentle advice. You must have confused me with someone else.

It was before your New Year resolution, back when you were ascribing the worst possible motives to every post.

What, are you calling me a jerk or something?

Just kidding.

Trying to give every conversation (or post) the benefit of the doubt actually makes it tough for me to say much. I guess I never realized how much of what I had to say was based on arguing with a negative interpretation.

Obligatory_________________At the heart of the durability of mass schooling is a brilliantly designed power fragmentation system which distributes decision-making so widely among so many different warring interests that large-scale change is impossible to those without a codebook.

Trying to give every conversation (or post) the benefit of the doubt actually makes it tough for me to say much. I guess I never realized how much of what I had to say was based on arguing with a negative interpretation.

Sounds like words to live by._________________Your argument is invalid.

I don't think it was that good. I'd also question the author's definition of mediocre. IMO, to have started as many businesses as he has and sold any of them is above mediocre. (Presumably he made some profit... he doesn't go into detail on that)._________________lolgov. 'cause where we're going, you don't have civil liberties.